Gulf stjlphub



Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITE relate araar rs WILLIAM HOFFMAN KOBBE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB T0 TEXAS GULF SULPHUR- COMPANY, OF BAY CITY, TEXAS, A COREOl't-ATION OF TEXAS.

SULPHUR COMPOSITION.

No Drawing.

This invention relates to corrosion-resisting compositions and has for its object the provision of an improved corrosion-resisting composition.

The present invention contemplates the provision of an improved corrosion-resisting composition possessing superior strength, which is not relatively brittle, which can be easily and accurately cast into any desired form, and which, When so cast, will retain its shape without Warping or other deformation. The improved composition effectively resists the action of acids, and such substances as alum, perchlorate of iron and both ferrous and ferric chloride, and the like. In consequence of these physical properties, the improved composition may be used in a variety of ways and in the construction of many different articles. Thus, it may be employed with advantage in the construction of electrolytic and other tanks, table tops, floors, and for many other purposes. Many articles now made of ceramic ware may adv-an tag'eously be constructed of my improved composition.

Sulphur containing compositions have heretofore been proposed consisting of sulphur and carbon in the form of powdered anthracite coal, but I have discovered that a much superior composition is obtained when sulphur and finely divided coke are combined in suitable proportions and under proper conditions. Such a composition will possess the above mentioned and other physical qualities and advantages. Coke being porous and of an extremely rough texture even in a finely divided state, makes an ex cellent bond with the sulphur and produces a. composition which is stronger and more durable than the sulphur-coal composition. l\'loreover, the specific gravity of coke is ap proximately the same as that ol' sulphm'. which is of advantage in the manufacture of the composition inasmuch as the materials do not tend to separate by gravity.

Sulphur melts at about 115 C. and at this temperature, and at temperatures slightly higher, and under atmospheric conditions, pours like water. I have found that when approximately 35% of finely divided coke is added to melted sulphur at a temperature slightly above the melting point, for example, at about 125 (1, the resulting composition is a freely flowing liquid which may be cast with great facility. Objects cast or" this Application filed August 14, 1923. Serial No. 657,434.

composition will accurately reproduce the smallest variations in the configuration of the matrix. This composition is admirably adapted for use as a corrosion-resisting composition as it possesses the required tensile strength, is not relatively brittle, and may be readily and accurately cast by pouring in an ordinary mold.

In carrying out the invention, the coke is first ground to a relatively fine powder .so that it will pass through a screen of about 9o to 100 mesh. The sulphur is then melted and the temperature raised to sligl'itly above the melting; point, for example, about 125 (3., and about 35% by weight of finely divided coke is then poured into the melted sulphur and intii'nately mixed therewith. It is desirable to melt the sulphur in a steamjacketed kettle so as to obtain an even heating); of the sulphur and so that the temperature may be easily controlled.

Another method of making the composition is to mix the sulphur and coke both in a powdered "form. The sulphur, as Well as the coke, is ground to a relatively fine powder and then the two are mixed in the proper proportions in any suitable apparatus. This dry mixture is then heated to a point slightly above the melting point of sulphur and is then ready for use.

The fact that the specific gravity of the finely divided coke is substantially the same as that of the sulphur greatly facilitates the preparation ot the composition by either of these methods. In the first method the coke remains in suspension in the melted sulphur, and it is, therefore, unnecessary to provide for agitation of the molten mass while it is being poured. It is only necessary to stir the two substances so as to thoroughly mix them. In the secoiiul method after the powdered coke and pmvdered sulphur ha ve been stirred together there is no tendency for the two substances to separate by gravity so that the product may be shipped. if desired. in this form to the point where it is desired to use it. \Vhen the composition is prepared according to the first method. it may be poured as soon as it is mixed, or it may be allowed to solidify and then be reinelted at some subsequent time when it is desired to use it. i

The strength of my improved corrosionresisting composition depends upon the relative proportions of the sulphur and coke and the fineness of the coke, in general increasing as both the amount and fineness of the coke employed is increased. The breaking tests which I have made of samples ot the composition indicate a tensi strength of from 4-00 to 1000 pounds per sq-uire inch depending on the proportion oi coke and ineness of the mesh employed. The .u'iaxinnun strengtl'i appears to occur with approxh m itely coke and sulphur, and such a composition is er: reniei usetui tor the mnurtacture of articles wl. are fle o 5? being molded under pressure ainrelatively high tensile strengt but it is not suitzbl. "tor eastii into a mold because such a bi of coke renders the compo' even attemperzdurcs melting point of sulphur. tion containing a relatively i nigh perccnta:e oi coke may also be emp h which are employed in the manur storage batteries, and which are l v forming tanks, In this industry age lnittery plates, alter the lead of l has been pressed into the lead grids. re immersed in the electrolyte is suitahlc ten about 8 inches wire l toot deep, and l t1.- long', and then count ted with suitable electric circuits in order to propei iy fornr the plates.

These forming tanks n ust be constructet. of some material which is acid-resisting, strong OnOl lQl'l to withstand the rather rough treatment. which they receive in being handled about the factory, and it is also desirable that they be provided with In'o iections or notches in their side walls to amurately hold the plates in position. 'lhcse tanks are now constructed oil ceramic ware hut this n'iatcrial is extremely unsalist'ctory. lu order to render ceran'iic ware are it musthe glazed. This process is in expensive, and, lurthermore, it ven re. lively minute areas a: glaze, the article mu t r the cost of manut'm ire ol t in s ol' tl material is high, and. in itiou the tanks warp and lose their shape during the process of manufacture to h an extent sue that the battery 'j'JlEltPS are liable to injury when slid into the notched walls.

Such a battery forming tank may he cast from my improved composition and pos sesses all of the advantages of the ceramic ware, with none or" its disadvantages. It does not warp; the for holding the plates can be accurately formed, and remain is no waste in the and the cost is a in their position; there process of manufacture;

tirely adequate to withstand the rough handling to which the tanks are subjected. i y improved composition is eorrosi *e-resisting of itself, and does not have to he glazed to render it so.

Other tanks, vats, and the like, may he ad anta'g eously constructed of the improved composition, espe-ially when the, are used to contain acids, and other corrosive sub- Sl'n(lQS. Such tanks may be em floyed in l: numbers in the chemical industry for stor pur 'ioses. They may also he used in paper n'iills tor the storage of the suliite liquor. the textile ii'ulustry dyeing" and treating vats made ot my improved composition will be just as serviceaole and less expensive than thise now emoloye'd. The composition may also be used in "he prcpzu ration of food for the construction of fruit- ("wilting vessels, vireggar tanks, and tanks and vessels used. in the packing industry.

A still further use to which the composition may he put is in the construction of i: ole tops, especially where it is desirable to nroviilc 2 work-table top of an acidres'stin; character, such, :tor crzumple, as is new s-zary in plants where storage batteries are manufactured.

Tanks, or other vessels, constructed of the improved composition will safely withstand a ten'iperature of C. and, as a matter of tact, are not injured by temperatures somewhat higher than this, inasmuch as they are not destroyed until the melting point of sulphur is reached, viz, 115 (1, because sulphur does not become viscous, but passes directly from the solid to the liquid state. It is, therefore, possible to boil water in them at atn'iospheric pressure by employing heating coils within the vessel.

Ve sels constructed in accordance with the invention may, if desired, he rein torced in any appropriate manner, such, for example, as by means of the so-called metal lath. Thus, a sheet of expanded metal lath may be shaped to contorm to the shape of the vessel desired, such, for example, as av cylindrical tank or pipe, and held within the mold lllU that when the molten con'iposition ls or not reinforced, aportion of the mold may be poured at one time and allowed to solidify and the remainder of the mold poured at a later time, yet the union between the two portions will be just llOHIOgGIIGOUS,

large tanks which it would be impossible to pour atone time, and which, therefore, may be constructed of my improved composition in much the same manner as concrete structures are made. I A part1cular method of making reinforced Yesselsor objects for which my improved composition'is Well adapted is as. follows.

A reinforcing structure conforming to the shape of the object is first constructed from woven wire, expanded metal lath, or the like;

This structure is then dipped in a bath of the molten composition and upon removal therefrom a quantity of the composition will be found to firmly adhere to the reinforcing; structure. This is allowed to solidify and then the dipping is repeated until the de sired thickness of the corrosive-resisting composition is obtained. The composition will be found to build up uniformly with the repeated dippings and the method may be employed to advantage in the construction of certain objects.

An example of one particular vessel which may be advantageously made in this manner is a cylindrical tank. The cylindrical walls of the tank are formed first by slowly ponderati'ng amount of sulphur.

rotating a cylinder of reinforcin material so that the lower portion thereoit dips into a molten bath ofthe improved composition. This operation is continueduntil the cylindrical walls are completely formed, after which the cylinder is placed in an appropriate mold for casting the bottom of the vessel. The bottom maybereinforced or not, as is desired, and is cast in the manner described previ0usly,and Will be found to unite completely with the previously formed side walls of thetank. p

The c'or'rosion resisting compositionof the inventionis more or. less metallic in its phys- .ical' appearance, and, when tapped with -a han'imer, has ametallic ring. It may be machined without difficulty andis capable of taking an extreme'ly'high polish. The natural, color is an attractive dark gray. I claim 1. A corrosioil-resisting composition composed of finely divided coke and a pre" 2. A corrosion-resisting composition 'compr1sing about 85% of finely divided coke mixed with about 65% of melted sulphur] and allowed to congeal. y

3. A corrosion-resisting composition composed of not less than of sulphur and the balance finely divided coke.

l. A corrosion-resisting composition coinposed of from 40 to of sulphur and the balance finely divided coke.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

.lVILLIAM HOFFMAN KOBBE. 

